North Korea could 'spiral out of control'

North Korea and the United States are engaging in a dangerous game of
brinkmanship that could spiral out of control Russia warned on Friday as Kim
Jong-un vowed to "settle accounts" with Washington for threatening
him with nuclear-capable stealth bombers.

On Thursday, two B2 stealth bombers flew over the Korean peninsulaPhoto: AP

"We are opposed to any steps from any side that increase tensions," said Sergei Lavrov, the Russian foreign minister.

He suggested that the situation on the Korean peninsula was being inflamed not only by the warmongering of Pyongyang, but also by the shows of military strength mounted in recent weeks by the United States and South Korea.

On Thursday, two B2 stealth bombers flew over the Korean peninsula, a move that demonstrated, according to the Pentagon, that the US is capable of conducting "long-range precision strikes quickly and at will."

In response, Kim Jong-un yesterday (FRI) threatened once again to press the red button and was pictured in a war room with maps in the background plotting the trajectories of missiles pointing at the United States.

University students march through Kim Il Sung Square in downtown Pyongyang (AP)

A few hours after his latest call to arms, thousands of North Koreansrallied in the main square in Pyongyang, chanting "Death to the US imperialists" and "Sweep away the US aggressors", according to The Associated Press, which has a bureau in Pyongyang.

"We are concerned that alongside an adequate reaction from the Security Council and the collective reaction from the international community, there are unilateral steps being taken around North Korea that manifest themselves in a build-up of military activity," said Mr Lavrov.

"We may simply let the situation slip out of our control and it will slide into a vicious circle spiral," he warned.

South Korea said yesterday that it had detected increased activity in various North Korean military units. "We believe they are taking follow-up steps," said Kim Min-seek, a Defence ministry spokesman.

"South Korean and American intelligence authorities are closely watching whether North Korea is preparing its short, medium, and long-range missiles, including its Scud, Rodong and Musudan."

However, he acknowledged that much of the rhetoric from Kim Jong-un was "psychological" posturing. Russia also said it would judge the situation on the "specific" actions of the various sides and not on the sabre-rattling from Pyongyang and Washington.

Hugo Swire, the Foreign office minister, suggested that despite the bellicose rhetoric, the situation in North Korea was stabilising. "In terms of military build-up and so on, it seems we are through the worst," he said. "The regime is very unpredictable, but it seems we are coming down from the heights of the past few weeks".

Meanwhile, a senior North Korean tourism official has reassured Chinese tour operators that the country is not on the brink of war. According to the Chosun Ilbo, Kim To-jun said: "Do not worry. There will be no war on the Korean peninsula, so send as many tourists as possible."

Air Koryo, the country's airline, will begin flying from Beijing to Pyongyang five days a week in April and has invested in new planes.

"We have not had any disruption to our tours," said Simon Cockerell of Koryo Tours. "They have been able to go to all the places they planned to go. It is business as usual. We are seeing a disconnect between our business and the macro political things that are going on. Our next tour group is going in on April 4".